Intel Core i5-1030NG7 vs Intel Xeon W-2104 Comparison

FAQ

Q: Which processor has the higher multi-core performance in Cinebench R23?

A: The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 scores 4759 in Cinebench R23 multi-core, which is 1.9% ahead of the Intel Xeon W-2104's 4669. The i5-1030NG7 wins all six recorded head-to-head benchmark comparisons.

Q: How does the single-core performance compare?

A: The i5-1030NG7 leads in every single-core test. In Cinebench R23 single-core, it scores 671 versus the Xeon W-2104's 659, a 1.8% advantage. The margin is similar in R20 (281 vs 276, 1.8%) and R15 (67 vs 66, 1.5%).

Q: What is the average benchmark score difference between the two chips?

A: The i5-1030NG7 has an average benchmark score of 1376, while the Xeon W-2104 averages 1350. The i5-1030NG7 sits 26 points higher on aggregate.

Q: Do both processors occupy the same performance percentile?

A: Yes, both are in the 36th percentile of all CPUs in the database. Despite the i5-1030NG7 having a higher average score, they are grouped at the same percentile rank.

Q: What are the core and thread counts for each?

A: Both have 4 physical cores. The i5-1030NG7 supports 8 threads thanks to Hyper-Threading, while the Xeon W-2104 has 4 threads with no simultaneous multithreading.

Q: Which processor supports ECC memory?

A: Only the Intel Xeon W-2104 supports ECC memory. The i5-1030NG7 does not include ECC support.

Architecture Differences

The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 is built on the Ice Lake architecture, specifically the Ice Lake-Y mobile variant, using a 10 nm process node from Intel. Its die size is 123 mm². The Intel Xeon W-2104 uses the older Skylake architecture, specifically Skylake-W for workstations, fabricated on a 14 nm node with a much larger 484 mm² die. The process node difference is significant: the i5-1030NG7 is a smaller, denser design intended for low-power mobile systems, while the Xeon W-2104 is a workstation-class part with a large die for server-like reliability features.

Cache layouts diverge substantially. The i5-1030NG7 has 80 KB of L1 cache per core, 256 KB of L2 per core, and 6 MB of shared L3 cache. The Xeon W-2104 offers 64 KB of L1 per core, 1 MB of L2 per core, and 8.25 MB of shared L3. The Xeon's larger per-core L2 and total L3 give it a cache capacity advantage, while the i5-1030NG7 has more L1 per core.

Memory architecture differs in channel count and bandwidth. The i5-1030NG7 uses dual-channel DDR4 memory with a theoretical bandwidth of 51.2 GB/s. The Xeon W-2104 supports quad-channel DDR4 memory, doubling the memory channels and providing 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, a 67% higher figure. This makes the Xeon better suited for memory-heavy workstation tasks.

The i5-1030NG7 integrates Iris Plus graphics with 64 execution units, a notable feature for a mobile chip. The Xeon W-2104 has no integrated graphics whatsoever, requiring a discrete GPU for any display output.

Socket and platform targets are entirely different. The i5-1030NG7 uses Intel BGA 1044, a soldered mobile socket, while the Xeon W-2104 uses Intel Socket 2066, a desktop/workstation LGA socket. The Xeon also supports Gen 3 PCIe with 48 lanes from the CPU, whereas the i5-1030NG7 supports Gen 3 PCIe without a listed lane count.

The Xeon W-2104 includes ECC memory support, a hallmark of workstation/server processors, while the i5-1030NG7 does not. The i5-1030NG7 also has a base clock of 1100 MHz with a boost clock of 3.50 GHz, whereas the Xeon W-2104 has a fixed base clock of 3.20 GHz with no boost capability.

Head-to-Head Benchmarks

The recorded data shows the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 winning all six head-to-head Cinebench tests. The margins are narrow but consistent, ranging from 1.5% to 1.9%. In Cinebench R15 multi-core, the i5-1030NG7 scores 479 against the Xeon's 470, a 1.9% lead. Single-core R15 shows 67 versus 66, a 1.5% edge.

Cinebench R20 tells the same story. Multi-core results are 1998 for the i5-1030NG7 and 1960 for the Xeon W-2104, again a 1.9% difference. Single-core R20 sees 281 versus 276, a 1.8% margin. The most recent Cinebench R23 tests mirror this pattern: multi-core scores 4759 versus 4669 (1.9% lead), and single-core scores 671 versus 659 (1.8% lead).

The single-core results are particularly telling given the Xeon's much higher 3.20 GHz base clock and no boost, versus the i5-1030NG7's low 1.10 GHz base that boosts to 3.50 GHz. Despite the Xeon starting at a far higher frequency, the i5-1030NG7 still manages to outperform it in every single-threaded workload. This indicates the newer Ice Lake architecture and its higher boost clock more than compensate for the Xeon's static clock speed.

Multi-core results are also noteworthy because the Xeon has a massive TDP advantage allowance (120 W versus 10 W) and more L3 cache (8.25 MB versus 6 MB). Yet the i5-1030NG7's 8 threads versus the Xeon's 4 threads provide enough parallel throughput to overcome those hardware advantages, yielding a 1.9% lead in every multi-core test.

The average benchmark scores reinforce the head-to-head outcome. The i5-1030NG7 averages 1376 points across all recorded tests, while the Xeon W-2104 averages 1350. That 1.9% aggregate delta matches the per-test deltas, showing consistency across workloads.

Specification Differences

| Specification | Intel Core i5-1030NG7 | Intel Xeon W-2104 |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Cores | 4 | 4 |

| Threads | 8 | 4 |

| Base Clock | 1100 MHz | 3.20 GHz |

| Boost Clock | 3.50 GHz | None |

| TDP | 10 W | 120 W |

| Socket | Intel BGA 1044 | Intel Socket 2066 |

| Architecture | Ice Lake | Skylake |

| Codename | Ice Lake-Y | Skylake-W |

| Generation | Core i5 (Sunny Cove-Y) | Xeon W (Skylake-W) |

| Process Node | 10 nm | 14 nm |

| Die Size | 123 mm² | 484 mm² |

| L1 Cache | 80 KB per core | 64 KB per core |

| L2 Cache | 256 KB per core | 1 MB per core |

| L3 Cache | 6 MB shared | 8.25 MB shared |

| Memory Bus | Dual-channel | Quad-channel |

| Memory Bandwidth | 51.2 GB/s | 85.3 GB/s |

| ECC Memory | No | Yes |

| PCIe | Gen 3 | Gen 3, 48 Lanes (CPU only) |

| Integrated Graphics | Iris Plus (64EU) | None |

| Market Segment | Mobile | Server/Workstation |

| Release Date | 2020-03-17 | 2017-08-28 |

| Launch MSRP | Not listed | $255 |

| Part Number | SRGM7 | SR3LH |

The two chips differ in nearly every defining specification except core count and manufacturer. The i5-1030NG7 is a 10 nm mobile part with a 10 W TDP, while the Xeon W-2104 is a 14 nm workstation part drawing 120 W. The Xeon has a much higher base clock (3.20 GHz versus 1.10 GHz), but the i5-1030NG7 has a boost clock of 3.50 GHz that the Xeon lacks entirely.

Memory support is another major split: dual-channel versus quad-channel, with bandwidth figures of 51.2 GB/s and 85.3 GB/s respectively. The Xeon also supports ECC memory, which the i5 does not. The Xeon's 48 PCIe lanes are a workstation feature absent from the i5's specification list.

Where Each One Wins

The Intel Core i5-1030NG7 wins in all six recorded benchmark tests, so its performance advantages are unambiguous. It leads by 1.9% in multi-core workloads across R15, R20, and R23, and by 1.5% to 1.8% in single-core tests. For any task that relies on raw Cinebench scores, the i5-1030NG7 is the faster chip.

The i5-1030NG7 also wins on power efficiency by a massive margin. Its 10 W TDP is 12 times lower than the Xeon's 120 W, making it suitable for fanless or ultra-portable designs. Its integrated Iris Plus graphics with 64 EU provide a complete visual solution without needing a discrete GPU, which the Xeon cannot offer.

The Xeon W-2104 wins on platform features rather than benchmark scores. It supports ECC memory, which is critical for data integrity in servers and workstations. Its quad-channel memory bus delivers 85.3 GB/s of bandwidth, 67% higher than the i5-1030NG7's 51.2 GB/s, benefiting memory-intensive workloads like large databases or virtualization. The Xeon also offers 48 PCIe Gen 3 lanes, enabling multiple GPUs, NVMe drives, or other high-bandwidth expansion cards.

The Xeon's 8.25 MB of L3 cache and 1 MB per-core L2 cache provide a cache capacity advantage that could help in workloads with repetitive data access patterns, even if the benchmark data does not show a win. Its fixed 3.20 GHz clock means predictable performance without reliance on boost algorithms.

The Verdict

The data clearly favors the Intel Core i5-1030NG7 in raw benchmark performance. It wins all six Cinebench tests, with margins between 1.5% and 1.9%. Its average benchmark score of 1376 exceeds the Xeon W-2104's 1350, and both sit at the 36th percentile of all CPUs. For users who prioritize single-threaded responsiveness or multi-threaded rendering in Cinebench, the i5-1030NG7 is the superior choice.

The i5-1030NG7 is also the only option for low-power or mobile systems. Its 10 W TDP is a fraction of the Xeon's 120 W, and its integrated Iris Plus graphics eliminate the need for a separate GPU. This makes it a complete package for compact laptops or mini PCs where space and cooling are limited.

However, the Xeon W-2104 is the correct pick for workstation or server builds that require ECC memory. That feature alone justifies its existence in the database, as no amount of benchmark lead can substitute for error-correcting memory in critical applications. Its quad-channel memory bandwidth of 85.3 GB/s and 48 PCIe lanes also make it the more expandable platform.

The launch MSRP for the Xeon W-2104 was $255, which positions it as a workstation entry point, while the i5-1030NG7 has no listed MSRP.

In practical terms, the benchmark deltas are small: a 1.9% difference in multi-core and 1.8% in single-core will be imperceptible in most real-world use. The decision should rest on platform requirements. If the workload demands ECC, quad-channel memory, or many PCIe devices, the Xeon W-2104 is the only choice despite losing every benchmark. If power efficiency, integrated graphics, or raw Cinebench scores matter more, the i5-1030NG7 is the clear winner. The recorded data shows six wins for the i5-1030NG7 and zero for the Xeon, but the Xeon's feature set addresses needs that benchmarks do not measure.